Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-30
RAsCALS IN DISGUISE.
How Two Young Men Worked the
Pious Racket III Pennsylvania.

From he Nelo York Sun.
WEAvEksTowN, PA, March 23'-for
several days past two well-dressed anu
to all appearance, highly educated young
men have been canvassIng this and ad-
joining towns for the sale OF prepars-
tion warranted to cure chronic rheumat-
ism. The young men wore the cOhVeh-
tional suit OF broadcloth with Immaculate
ties. They were fluent but persuasive
takers, and told the plausible story OF
their desire to complete college euuca-
tion already begun, but which had Deen
Interrupted by sickness, and tbencelor-
ward devote tbemsely TO the salVaC'on
of men. They quoted chapters from
the Bible and dwelt particularly on the
reward that was in store for those VINO
were charitable. This eloquent appeal
created profound sympathy for the young
students, and they were most cordially
welcomed wherever they went, receiving
not only the price OF the medicine, out
additional sums to help them to realize
their cherished hopes. The venture
proved successful; IN fact Iney were
reaping a harvest.
The true character of the pious young
men was not revealed until 1T was an
nounced to-day that they had robbed
Jonas Long, man who had taken special
interest in them, and who mad contrlbu-
ted literally toward raising money TO
enable them to complete their studies.
So surprised were the Inhabitants here
abOuts by the announcement that they
would not believe the story until the
truth was learned from Mr.. Long himself.
"The young men called last night"
said Mr.. Long, "just after dark, to eX-
press their gratitude and thank me in
person tor the Kind interest | mad taken
| IN their behalf. Their success, they said.
was mainly due to me. ana they intended
to leave town in the morning, and said
that they would 90 with the deepest re-
greet. Then assuming a most reverentisl
attitude, and raising their eyes toward
Heaven they invoked its choicest bless
ings on me and my family"
MIR. Long, who is a devout Christian,
was almost overwhelmed at the mani
| festatlons of gratitude and the evident
sincerity of the young men, and he asked
them to name the total amount of money
realized during their short stay.
Ninety dollars, sir" was the quick
reply.
Very well, then" said Mr.. Long, 81
will give you $40 more to make the even
| 100.
He arose from his chair and went up
stairs for the money, but had hardly
| reached into the drawer for 1T when he
was seized and struck several times on
| the head with something that appeared
soft, but WAS powerful enough 10 daze
him. After this he remembers nothing,
except that the hands that grssped him
were those of a powerful man. He was
then bound and gagged.
Mrs. Long says that the moment her
husband went upstairs the light was eX-
tnguished, and she was bound hand and
foot, and a cloth or handkerchief tied over
her mouth. AS far as she can recollect,
one or two men came in and went u p
stairs. The couple remained bound until
released by neighbors this morning, who,
seeing the house open and no one around,
went in to investigate. Mr.. Long cannot
say exactly what amount of money was
taken. but 5000 to $500 may cover it. A
gold watch is also missing.
The opinion prevails that the mission
of the pretended students was to find out
who had money, and that confederates
by prior arrangement, were on hand to
do the work, 1t Is thought that while the
"students" were entertaining the old
couple-down stairs. their confederates
gained an entrance to the upstairs apart
| mpnf